Vanilla is one of the best-known spices in the world.  Vanilla comes from the plant Vanilla Planifolia, a member of the orchid family. This type of orchid is a climbing orchid and, when left alone in its natural environment, it can grow up to 300 feet! Vanilla beans are the seed pods obtained from the [...]

Agave Nectar (or agave syrup), a great natural alternative to refined sugar, is harvested from the agave plant, a desert plant native to Southern Mexico. It resembles a cactus but actually belongs to the same family as the Aloe Vera plant. There are over 100 species of agave found around the world but the blue [...]

Any final words of wisdom?
Sometimes making dietary changes can seem overwhelming, but you need not feel deprived. There are plenty of healthier options for the “sweet tooth!” Do what works best for you. Some prefer going “cold turkey,” while some need to transition slowly over time. (I had to do it slowly!) Just be committed [...]

Ways to Cut Out Sugar

Experiment with natural sweeteners in beverages & recipes
Choose unsweetened teas (and pure water) instead of soft drinks
Read labels! Sugar is called by many names (and comes in everything from ketchup to salad dressing and low-fat foods.) Try a brand with no sugar or one that uses healthier sweeteners
Choose whole fruit over [...]

Are there any substitutes for my sweet tooth that are healthier?
Yes! There are many options that can even benefit the body:

Raw honey – strengthens the immune system, can improve blood sugars in Type 2 diabetics, has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-vital properties
Stevia – 250x sweeter than sugar, calorie free, doesn’t raise blood sugar levels
Agave nectar – [...]

What about aspartame or other “diet” sugars?
Because of the chemical composition of sugar substitutes, their by-products can have associated risks within the body. Splenda, for example, is a sugar molecule with chlorine added. A number of very undesirable side effects (migraines, rashes, numbness, dizziness, agitation) have been connected to use of this low-calorie “diet [...]

What’s the difference between fructose, sucrose and other types of sugar?
The difference is the size and combination of the sugar molecules, as well as how the body metabolizes them. Sucrose (table sugar) is made of two molecules joined together: glucose and fructose. Fructose is broken down very differently within the body into triglycerides, increasing the [...]

Are there any “good” sugars? What’s a “normal” limit?
We need carbohydrates as a primary source of energy for the body and brain. It’s important to consume nutrient-dense carbs, which will be low glycemic, unrefined food choices in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. In 2003, The World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization [...]

Why is avoiding high glycemic food important?
The Glycemic Index is a measure of how carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels. “High glycemic” means the “carbs” break down quickly and  raise blood sugar levels rapidly. “Low Glycemic” foods are digested more slowly so blood sugars rise more gradually. Avoiding high glycemic  foods (refined carbs) helps minimize blood [...]

What about the effects of sugar on GI health?
Over 70% of the immune system is linked with the gastrointestinal tract. Lots of sugar and refined, processed foods can promote the overgrowth  of unhealthy bacteria, yeast and fungi. This throws off the “good bacteria balance,” which can result in less frequent bowel movements and toxin build [...]

Does sugar consumption affect aging?
Yes! Inflammation is also one of the primary causes of aging. Again, free radicals are being formed which can impact every part of the body: organs, blood vessels, skin and the immune system.

How does sugar affect immunity?
Sugar and poor regulation of glucose and insulin levels produce more free radicals in the body. This stimulates the body’s inflammatory response, which when continued over time taxes the immune system. This may sound trivial, but recent research correlates chronic inflammation as one of the main contributing factors to all chronic, [...]

Certainly a little sugar now than then cannot affect your health…or can it??? Did you know that 1 teaspoon of sugar can lower your immune system for up to 6 hours?
Learn more in this Q&A series about how sugar affects your health from nutritionist, Alisha Chasey, as she expounds on this not-so-sweet subject.
What’s the one [...]

Whether they help master counting skills (Chutes & Ladders ®), perfect manners (Sorry ®) or teach the value of money (Monopoly ®) most board games have a dual function – to be fun AND educational. A favorite in my childhood home, Candy Land ®, emphasized the importance of counting and colors, not necessarily [...]

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With the simple flip of the calendar, the “holiday season” has officially begun! No doubt, the next two months will be filled with seemingly unending “to-do” lists. Thankfully, this time of year, those lists seem to have a common theme: food. Planning Thanksgiving dinner and preparing the perfect dish to [...]

While raw cocoa nibs are great natural additives to our favorite treats, society tends to be more aware of cocoa powder. The transition from cocoa nibs to cocoa powder is intricate, to say the least!
Initially, the raw cocoa nibs (Remember, to get to this point, the fruit had to be picked, fermented, dried and shelled!) [...]

Whether it is dark, white, semisweet or bittersweet, the majority of people love chocolate. Chocolate options are vast and varied, but the root of this ancient dessert remains the same – cocoa beans. Cocoa beans are found in the fruit pods of Theobroma cacao trees which are a landmark in Central America. After cocoa [...]

“Eat dessert…it’s good for you!”   Really!!
Did you ever think you’d hear those words…
…especially for Chocolate?! It’s the love affair that’s hooked us for life. But now, it can be part of your strategy for health!
Recent research shows that dark chocolate has some very important health benefits. The nutrient content in cocoa might explain why it [...]

The children’s story The Gingerbread Man is undoubtedly a classic tale that most everyone is familiar with.  With the refrain “Run, run as fast as you can! You can’t catch me! I’m the Gingerbread Man!” echoing in the background, perhaps the cookie cutout character starts to take shape in your mind.  Whether his eyes were [...]

Looking for some gluten-free options???  Buckwheat, actually a fruit seed commonly confused as a grain, tastes great and packs some impressive health benefits thanks to its vitamin, mineral, antioxidants, and fiber content.  Although it sounds like it is part of the wheat family, buckwheat is truly gluten free, so it’s safe for people with Celiac [...]

Escape with me from the summer heat for just a moment. Grab a basket, take off your shoes and let the grass poke through your toes as you walk to the patches of wild blueberry bushes. As you’re picking the ripe, juicy fruit and popping the flavorful berries in your mouth, you’re also [...]

Fat has gotten a bad rap over the years, even inciting fear that eating just a bite will “pack on the pounds.”  (Remember the days of “fat free” everything?!)  This is so far from the truth! Fats are essential to life.  They make up a part of  every single cell in our body, and the [...]